Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 in the NBA Finals, a situation the Dallas Mavericks can’t afford. Doncic is just too valuable, especially in the Finals. He missed the last 4:12 of the fourth quarter after picking up his sixth and final foul, with the Mavs down by just three points. The game ended with a 106-99 loss to the Boston Celtics.
The frustration is palpable, as Doncic protested the idea of getting six fouls in such a critical game. “You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals, basically I’m like, ‘C’mon, man. Better than that,” he said. But the reality remains: the Mavs needed him on the court, and he wasn't there. In those final minutes without their All-NBA guard, the Mavs were outscored 13-9.
Criticism of the 25-year-old star is mounting with each Mavs loss in the Finals. They’re down 3-0, and the Celtics could sweep the Mavs in Game 4 on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was especially harsh, calling out Doncic’s constant complaints about officiating, his defensive shortcomings, and what he labeled an "unacceptable" performance in Game 3.
Doncic is also battling injuries, adding to the challenges. He was listed on the Game 3 injury report with a bruised chest and had been previously dealing with a sprained knee and ankle soreness. Despite these issues, he's a major reason the Mavs made it to the Finals, having defeated three 50-win teams in the Western Conference playoffs. His offensive talent is undeniable, and his All-NBA status is well-earned.
In his Finals debut, Doncic is learning how different the game is at this level. His stats look decent: 29.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 32.1% on 3-pointers. But his fourth-quarter performance has been lackluster, averaging only 2.7 points on 20% shooting (3-for-15) and 0% on 3-pointers (0-for-4).
Doncic's frustration with officials and his defensive issues are more noticeable now. The Celtics, with their offensive options, are targeting him. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Jrue Holiday have all driven past him with little resistance. "Yeah, he's definitely got a bull's-eye on his chest," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "He's got to be able to guard and understand that we're there to protect him and help him if he does get beat."
Kidd pointed out the heavy offensive load Doncic is carrying, noting that the Celtics are putting him in every pick-and-roll and isolation situation. “He’s got to be able to play the game where he can rest on offense and let others carry the load.” However, outside of Kyrie Irving, the Mavs don’t have many players to help Doncic offensively, especially against the Celtics.
Irving emphasized team support, saying, "It's easy to point the finger at just him, say, you could be better. That's easy to say. I think he knows that. But, yeah, it's reiterating that I have his back. We all have his back."
The Celtics aren't strangers to playoff disappointments and the growth that comes from those losses. The hope is that Doncic realizes the changes he needs to make to succeed at this level. He's not the first star to struggle in a Finals debut, but it's clear how much his game needs to improve under these circumstances.
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